Legal Question in Family Law in Minnesota
My niece is a 25 year single woman with a teaching degree and a job. She met a man and got pregnant but very soon realized she didn't want a relationship with him. She is now 7 months pregnant and he is constantly texting and telling her that he has retained a lawyer and is going to get 50/50 custody and is petitioning the court to have his last name for the baby. My niece has already picked out a name and will be using her last name. He is threatening her to take her to court and he wants to be at all doctor appointments and there for the birth. She has asked him to stop texting and calling her but he won't stop. What are his rights to this baby. We live in Minnesota.
1 Answer from Attorneys
The natural mother of a child born when the mother was not married to the child's father (neither at birth nor at the time of conception) has sole custody of the child until paternity has been established. Therefore, your niece is in complete control right now. Your niece, however, should petition the court, if the presumed father has not already, to establish custody and child support obligations. Feel free to give me a call.